“Onward and upward!”

 

Valerie Beck

Speaker, Entrepreneur, Author, Chocolate Expert

    

•   Successful entrepreneur and founder of the original chocolate tours

•   Cheerful chocolate expert

•   Inspirational author

•   Chocolate and business consultant

•   Adjunct professor

•   Former attorney

•   Harvard College and Harvard Law grad

•   Inspiring and uplifting speaker

 

 

Highlighted speaking topic: 

• Chocolate Wellness: What's In Your Chocolate?

 

Details: hear my tips on chocolate-enhanced wellness, presented in a fun and uplifting way, including:

 

• the number 1 ingredient to beware of in commercial chocolate,

• how to decode chocolate bar labels and identify the right kind of artisan chocolate,

• how to maximize chocolate's health benefits, 

• how to avoid GMOs and artificial ingredients,

• what "natural ingredients" are and why they sometimes mean you should back away from the shelf,

• how to taste and enjoy craft chocolate - which we'll do at the talk! - and

• more!

 

'Keep eating chocolate!'" ~ Valerie

 

 

Other requested speaking topics:

• Chocolate and Gender  

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• Ethical Chocolate: Sustainability Challenges and Solutions 

 

• Chocolate: History, Health Benefits, Myths, Magnificence  

 

• ABCs of Success: Attitude, Belief, Commitment

  • How to use these simple concepts for success in any business or endeavor

 

•   Sweet Life: How to Follow Your Heart and Take Your Brain With You

  • Start discovering or keep refining your heart’s desire, and be a “practical dreamer”

 

•   Alternative Careers for Lawyers

 

•   Sweet Startup: What Every Entrepreneur Should Know About Passion, Profit, and Persistence

 

•   Social Media Marketing

 

•   Chocolate 2020: Trends in the World of Chocolate

 

 

Topics are customizable for your group. And presentations come with chocolate!

 

 

Client categories include: 

•   Conventions and association meetings

•   Law firms - particularly law firm women's initiatives 

•   Cruises

•   Executives

•   Students

•   Women’s groups

•   Corporate wellness days

•   Corporate motivational days

 

Valerie has spoken at organizations including: 

• Walgreens

• Cigna

• ASHRAE

• other corporations ranging from small and mid-sized to Fortune 500

• other large, mid-sized, and small non-profits

• the Chicago Bar Association

• The Law Bulletin

• the U.S. Department of Education’s Council on Legal Education Opportunity

• Northwestern Law School

• her alma mater Harvard Law School

• her alma mater Harvard College

• University of Chicago

• the Coleman Center for Entrepreneurship

• Lexington College

• DePaul University School of Hospitality

• Loyola University

• Kendall College

• National Association for Catering and Events

• National Customer Service Association

• Illinois Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with World Chicago and the US Department of State

• Illinois Diversity Council

• Chicago City Treasurer business education sessions

• Culinary Historians of Chicago

• Women's Innovation Network - WIN

• Geneva Women in Business

• eWomenNetwork

• Professional Women's Network

• Daily Herald Business Ledger

 

 

Testimonials 

 

"If you ever want to get fully enrobed in everything chocolate, then seek out Valerie Beck. She leaves no cacao bean unturned as she takes aficionados on a magic chocolate ride where one is dipped into artisanal producing, social awareness, and luscious tasting."

  Scott Warner

  Culinary Historians of Chicago

 

"Valerie is an exuberant and extraordinary speaker who superbly involves the audience as she presents such interesting facts about chocolate and wellness.  She is very friendly and personable, yet a cylinder of dynamite showering listeners with delightful energy!  The manner in which she shares her heart, soul, lively humor and vast knowledge makes her presentations quite enjoyable.  Valerie is highly recommended as a speaker to your group!"

 Co-chair of ladies organization, Springfield, IL

 

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“Valerie is an enthusiastic and engaging speaker who is passionate and knowledgeable about her topic.  Her comprehensive, informative and fun presentation was well received by our audience of professional and executive women.”

  Christine Osvald-Mruz

  Co-chair, STRIDES, Advancing Women in Business

 

 

"Valerie's positive energy is contagious and her delivery is vivacious and engaging.   Every entrepreneur and professional can benefit from her uplifting messages and sensible business advice.  Listening to Valerie's stories and expertise is guaranteed to be an inspiring and invigorating experience."

   Erika Herrera

   Co-Founder, Sandpiper Imports Inc.

 

 

 "Valerie is charming, graceful and feminine. At the same time she is powerful, captivating and persuasive. She is knowledgeable about her subject matter and makes an excellent and very professional presentation. I'm looking forward to inviting her to speak to my group again..and again."

  Patrice Turner

   Managing Director

  eWomenNetwork

 

 

 "Valerie Beck is an established speaker who is confident, well prepared and full of energy. She presents with enthusiasm, knowledge, and engagement. Her sunny perspective and will light up any room and is well loved by all. This bubbly professional is born to speak as getting in front of an audience comes naturally.  I highly recommend Valerie for your next speaking function."

 Mary Doherty

 Send Out Cards

 

 

"Valerie is energetic and welcoming. As a speaker, her passion for others, supporting individuals in their personal and professional growth and for making a difference in people's lives comes through. She is sincere, believable and engaging. I wouldn't hesitate to invite her to share fables, enthusiasm and inspiration as a speaker."

  Maureen Blaha

  Executive Director, National Runaway Safeline

 

"Since I saw Valerie present over three years ago, I can't say enough about her endless charisma, business intelligence, passion, and professionalism. Valerie is not only a successful business owner, but a leader and an effective speaker in the business community. I highly value her expertise and would recommend her presentations to colleagues of any level."

  Michael Moody, Author and Personal Trainer in Chicago   (www.michaelmoodyfitness.com)

 

 

Fees

Generally $1,500 for nonprofit organizations, or $5,000 for law firms and corporations, plus travel and accommodations. Negotiable.

  

 

See Valerie in action in our videos, and contact us about booking Valerie as a "sweet speaker" for your organization: chocolateuplift@gmail.com. 

 

Here's to Uplift Through Chocolate!